Patrick Gaspard, who has held high-level positions in politics, including White House political director and his current post as executive director of the Democratic National Committee, will soon be offered a new assignment: ambassador to South Africa.

The Washington Post and Politico report Gaspard will be nominated to the post by the White House, but that no formal announcement has been made.

Gaspard, who began his political career on the campaign of New York City Mayor David Dinkins, and who went on to hold senior positions with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) including its Local 1199 Healthcare Workers Union — the largest local union in the U.S. — has had a long political career. He has been a key adviser to President Barack Obama.

The 46-year-old, who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo to Haitian parents, was national field director for America Coming Together, which helped register voters and organized on behalf of Democrats in the 2004 presidential election, and has worked on campaigns including Howard Dean’s and Rev. Jesse Jackson‘s presidential bids.